Allentown, PA. – june 21, 2012 – The Akron Racers’ Rookies have already played an integral role in the team’s success in the 2013 season, and Thursday night was no exception.

Rachele Fico, the Racers’ top pick in the 2013 NPF College Draft, received her first career start as well as her first win against the NY/NJ Comets in Allentown, Pa. The recent Louisiana State University alumna struck out three and limited the Comets to six hits during Akron’s 8-2 win.

The Racers established an early lead for Fico, scoring four runs in the top of the third inning. Comets pitcher Olivia Galati gave up five hits in the inning, including four straight singles from the Racers’ top four hitters.

The Comets would answer back in the bottom of the 3rd inning as Angeline Quicocho lead off with a single and scored on Amanda Kamekona’s RBI double to decrease the deficit to 4-1. The Comets added one more run in the fifth inning, but that was all Fico and the Racers would allow.

While the Racers held the lead throughout the game, they put it out of the Comets’reach in the seventh inning. The top half of Akron’s lineup came through once again for the Racers, stringing together four straight singles. The late rally led to a pitching change for the Comets as Olivia Galati was replaced by Taryne Mowatt .

The Racers collected 14 hits in the game, grabbing their third straight victory and improving their season record to 4-6. Kaylyn Castillo led the Racers offensively, going 3-4 at the plate with three RBI and two runs scored.

Akron and the Comets will finish out the four-game series at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ on Friday and Saturday. Both games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

Notes:

- The Racers are on a three-game win streak.

- Rachele Fico made her first career start and earned her first career win.

- Kaylyn Castillo led the Racers offensively, going 3-4 at the plate with three RBI and two runs scored.

About the Akron Racers:
The Akron Racers, headquartered in Akron, OH, are the oldest existing team in the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league. The Racers competed in the Women's Pro Softball League (WPSL) for two seasons in 1999 and 2000 and in the NPF since 2004. Historic Firestone Stadium is home to the Racers and numerous amateur events at all levels of play. The Racers kickoff their 12th season of play in 2013.

About National Pro Fastpitch:
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.

About Us

National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) is a growing professional sports platform for women in sport, specifically the sport of fastpitch softball. NPF currently exists as a rarity among professional team sports options for women. The league provides a place for fastpitch softball’s elite level players, to compete against each other. The NPF works to grow the game daily through individual team ownership, increased engagement with corporate America partners and expanded television coverage. The five current affiliate NPF teams are located in Akron, OH; Chicago, IL; Kansas City, MO; Vero Beach, FL and Viera, FL.